It was a not-so-sweet confession.
Lindt, a delicious chocolate brand, has revealed that its indulgent treats are not “expertly crafted with the finest ingredients” as the packaging suggests.
The Swiss company conceded in an attempt to dismiss a lawsuit against them, but backfired when the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York denied their efforts.
Lindt found itself in a difficult situation in 2023 after a consumer organization in the US reported high levels of lead in its dark chocolate.
Consumer Reports made the discovery when it compared 28 chocolate bars sold in America.
The study showed Lindt’s were among eight products found to have high levels of cadmium, a chemical element that can lead to kidney, liver and heart health problems, Australia’s Better Health Channel explained.
Another Lindt chocolate was among the 10 chocolates found with high levels of lead.
Consumers from California, Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Nevada and New York have taken legal action against the Swiss company over the high amounts of lead they consumed.
“Not knowing is very dangerous… That’s why it’s so important to know what you’re eating and to have quantitative data on the purity and positive benefits,” Brian Johnson, 46, a biohacker, told the Daily Mail.
Although Lindt is not the only brand with lead in its goods, consumers were frustrated that they were paying so much more for the chocolate, which promised “quality and safe dark chocolate”.
To combat the allegations, Lindt’s lawyers clarified that some of the product’s ingredients were exaggerated, such as the “excellence” in quality and the involvement of experts in fusing the ingredients.
Disappointed by the company’s actions, the Eastern District Court found that the product had “exaggerated advertising, slurs and boasts that no reasonable purchaser would rely on.”
Johnson added, “What we learned today are a few things. One: marketing and packaging mean nothing. It doesn’t matter what they say. It doesn’t matter what words they use, how beautiful their pictures are. It doesn’t matter.”
Meanwhile, Lindt has retracted their statement, claiming they spoke less about the product because of a “technical” legal response, The Daily Gazette reported. Lindt officials continued that narrative, disagreeing “with all the allegations made in the US lawsuit,” they told AFP.
“Our Lindt & Sprungli quality and safety procedures ensure that all products comply with all applicable safety standards and declaration requirements and are safe to consume,” added Lindt.
However, another brand of American chocolate under the Swiss company was approved.
Ghirardelli was proven to offer “safer treatment options,” Fortune reported.
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